(1) Whenever the commissioner finds any portion of the state to be affected with exotic pests not previously found in the United States, pests known to cause high levels of economic damage under similar conditions of climate and natural habitat in other areas outside this state, or pests which are known to have caused high levels of economic damage in the past within this state and in the commissioner's judgment plants or plant parts, whether living or dead, domestic animals, or other objects from the district affected would be liable to spread the pests into other sections of the state to the injury of others, the commissioner, after a hearing conducted pursuant to section 24-4-103, C.R.S., may declare a quarantine against such section or portion of the state to prevent the transfer of carriers of such pests from the quarantined area.

(2) Whenever it is ascertained that exotic pests not previously found in the United States, pests known to cause high levels of economic damage under similar conditions of climate and natural habitat in other areas outside this state, or pests which are known to have caused high levels of economic damage in the past within this state are likely to be introduced into Colorado by the importation of plants or plant parts, whether living or dead, domestic animals, or other objects, the commissioner, after a hearing conducted pursuant to section 24-4-103, C.R.S., may declare a quarantine against the importation into Colorado of such pest carriers.

(3) The commissioner is authorized, pursuant to the provisions of this article, to apply such control or eradication measures as may be necessary to prevent the migration of exotic pests not previously found in the United States, pests known to cause high levels of economic damage under similar conditions of climate and natural habitat in other areas outside the state, or pests known to have caused high levels of economic damage in the past within this state that threaten to become established in this state and that endanger agricultural or horticultural industries in this state. The actual costs to offset the cash funds expended for services performed by the commissioner in imposing the quarantine and such control or eradication measures shall be recovered from the producers of any crop protected by such quarantine pursuant to rules promulgated by the commissioner. If the governor declares an emergency pursuant to section 35-4-110.5, the commissioner's costs may be recovered from the disaster emergency fund, created in section 24-33.5-706, C.R.S. The commissioner is authorized to accept assistance, services, facilities, and grants tendered by federal or local governmental units or other persons.